Portable clothes drier



Feb. 24, 1953 H. G. DITLOW PORTABLE CLOTHES DRIER Filed July 28, 1950Snuenfor Her/7! pizZoa Patented Feb. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE PORTABLE CLOTHES DRIER Harry G. Ditlow, Philadelphia, .Pa.

Application July 28, 1950, Serial No. 176,264

9 Claims. (Cl. 219-39) This invention relates to article driers, andmore particularly to a portable article drier, and specifically to aportable clothes drier adapted to be used in conjunction with a clotheswashing machine.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable articledrier adapted to be used in conjunction with an article washing machineto dry articles while they are contained in said machine after havingbeen washed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shell or fittingembracingly surrounding the article drier, and forming a part thereof,to permit exhaust of the heated air after it has been circulated overthe washed articles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a germicidal lamppositioned within the article drier, and adapted to throw rays of lightagainst articles contained in an article washing machine to thoroughlysterilize the articles.

A further object .of the present invention is to provide an articledrier which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable andefiicient in operation, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

The invention, therefore, is a portable article drier comprising an openended casing, a housing having one end open positioned within thecasing, a heating unit positioned within the housing, a blowerpositioned within the casing adjacent to the housing, means for drivingthe blower, and a shell embracingly surrounding one end of the casing,said shell and the adjacent portion of the casing being adapted to beinserted in an opening in an article washing machine, said shell servingas an exhaust port to permit the egress of outgoing air after it hascirculated over the articles contained in said washing machine.

Heretofore, in the art of drying clothes, it :has been customary for theperson washing clothes to hang them out on the clothesline to dry. Thismethod was slow and cumbersome, and involved the step by step operationof first Washing the clothes, and then hanging them out on the line todry, thus, a separate machine was needed and a clothesline had to beconstructed in a suitable place. In recent years, however, the art has,developed somewhat until at the present time .a combined washingmachine and drier made as one integral construction is old in the art.My invention relates to a portable clothes drier which can be attachedto any standard washing ma chine. Thus, the present invention eliminates2 the necessity of a clothesline, and makes the task of washing anddrying clothes simple and easy.

For a full and complete understanding of the invention, reference ismade to the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the clothes drier of the presentinvention showing the same inserted in a clothes washing machine, saidmachine being broken away.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the clothes drier shown inFigure 1 detached from the washing machine and taken approximatelythrough the center of the clothes drier.

Figure 3 is an end view of the clothes drier looking from the right inFigure 2, but with the shell or fitting, forming the exhaust port,broken away.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatical view showing the electric circuitarrangement in the clothes drier of the present invention.

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein the same referencecharacters are used throughout the several views to dsignate the same orsimilar parts the numeral 1 designates a washing machine having anopening 2 therein. The opening 2 here is shown in the side of thewashing machine, but it is to be understood that the opening may be inthe top as it is in many standard washing machmes. The clothes drier ofthe present inventionis adapted to be inserted in the openings 2 of thewashin machine I, which opening is in communication with the clothescontained in the washing machine 1.

The portable clothes drier comprises an open ended casing 3 having anopening 4 in one side thereof, and an aperture 5 adjacent one endthereof. A perforated plate 6 is aoapted to be placed over "the opening4 to form an intake port for the clothes drier of the present invention.An'electrical receptacle 1 is adapted to be placed in the aperture '0'of the casing 3 and secured thereto. Extending from the washing machineI is a conventional electric cord 8 which is adapted to be plugged intothe receptacle 1, said cord eliminating the necessity of providing twoseparate wall sockets, one for the washing machine and one for theclothes drier. Hence, the cord 8 is plugged into the receptacle 1, andthe latter is electrically connected to a second electric cord ,9, whichlatter cord is adapted to be plugged into a wall socket. Thus, the cord9 serves as the electrical :eneli y transfer means for both the clothesdrier and .the washing machine.

,A housing it] having one end open is positioned longitudinally withinand spaced from the boundthe perforated plate 6.

connections are shown in Figure 4 in which the ing walls of the casing3, the open end of the housing In being positioned adjacent to andspaced from one of the open ends of said casing. The housing II] has aheat insulating liner II circumposed thereabout and secured thereto.Further, the housing I is held in place in the casing 3 by a bracket I2which is secured to the interior surface of the casing 3. A heating unitI3 is positioned within the housing I0, and secured to said housing.Specifically, the heating unit I3 comprises a plurality of coils I4which are held in place by a plurality of circular insulators I5, whichinsulators are secured to the housing I9 by means of a wire I6 whichclamps around each of the insulators I5, each of said wires projectingfrom the housing [0. A blower I! is positioned within the casing 3adjacent to and spaced from the other open end thereof, said blowerhaving a conduit I8 in communication with the housing Ill. The blower I!is adapted to draw incoming air through the opening 4 in the casing 3. Amotor or means I9 is positioned within the casing 3 adjacent said otherend thereof, and is operatively connected to the blower I! for drivingthe latter.

A ballast coil or resistor 20 is positioned interiorly of the casing 3adjacent said other end thereof, and is secured to the inner walls ofsaid casing. Positioned between the casing 3 and the housing I0 is agermicidal lamp 2I which is electrically connected to the resistor 20,and which is secured to the interior surface of said casing, the rays oflight projecting through the open end of the casing into the clothes inthe washing machine to sterilize the same. A closure cap 22 ispositioned oversaid other open end of the casing 3 and is securedthereto to close the casing so that the intake air will come through Thevarious electrical blower motor I9, the lamp 2I and the heating unit I3are connected in parallel. The lamp 2| and the resistor coil 20 beingconnected in series. This electric circuit is connected to the cord 9which is adapted to be plugged in a wall socket. A timing switch 23 ispositioned in the closure cap 22, and is secured thereto, the timingswitch being electrically connected to the electrical circuit as shownin Figure 4. The timing switch is of a standard type, and by use of thesame the drier and washing machine may be set to run for a definiteperiod of time. Upon reaching the end of this period the timing switchwill automatically break the electric circuit, and the washing machineand the clothes drier will stop runmng.

A shell 24 embracingly surrounds the portion of the casing 3 adjacent toand contiguous with said one open end thereof. The shell 24 and theadjacent portion of the casing 3 being adapted to be inserted in theopening 2 in the washing machine I. The shell 24 serves as an exhaustport to permit the egress of outgoing air after it has been circulatedover the clothes contained in the washing machine I. The shell 24comprises a first band 25 which is tightly positioned over said one openend of the. casing 3. A second band 26 is positioned in surroundingspaced relation with respect to the first band 25. A plurality of fins21 are arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, and arearranged in radially spaced relation about the exterior surface of thefirst band 25, said fins extending between the first band 25 and thesecond band 25 for securing said bands together. The outgoing airescapes through the spaces formed by the fins 21. A first flange 28extends about the end of the second band 26 remote from said one openend of the casing 3. A second flange 29 extends about the end of thefirst band 25 contiguous with said one open end of the casing 3. Aresilient band or gasket 30 embracingly surrounds the second band 26 andis secured to the latter, the resilient gasket 30 serving as a means toinsure a close fit between the portable drier and the bounding walls ofthe opening 2 in the washing machine I. The first flange 28 is adaptedto abut against the opening 2 in the washing machine I to prevententrance of the casing 3 into the washing machine I a greater distancethan is desired.

Operation Operation of the clothes drier of the present invention is asfollows. The portable clothes drier is inserted into the opening 2 ofthe washing machine I by means of a pair of handles 3| which are securedto opposite sides of the casing 3 on the exterior surface thereof, andthe electrical cord 8 is plugged into the receptacle I in the casing 3;then the cord 9 is plugged into a suitable wall socket. The motor I9 isthen started by moving the timing switch which starts the blower Il intooperation. The blower II draws intake air through the perforated plate6, and through the conduit I8 into the housing Ill. The intake air isthen passed over the heating unit I3 where it is heated. The heated airthen passes through the open end of the casing 3 into the washingmachine I where it is circulated over the clothes to dry the same. Afterthe used air has been thoroughly circulated over the clothes it isexhausted through the shell 2i which serves as an exhaust port.

The above description hereinbefore set forth is merely the best mode ofpracticing the present invention, as there are many modifications andslight deviations still within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention which are too numerous to mention. It is the applicantsintention to include every modification and deviation of the presentinvention that is within the length, breadth and scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an article drier adapted to be inserted in an opening in anarticle washing machine which opening is in communication with thearticles contained in said machine, an open ended casing, a heating unitpositioned within said casing adjacent to and spaced from one of theopen ends of said casing, a blower positioned within said casingadjacent to and spaced from the other open end thereof, said blowerbeing adapted to draw incoming air from an opening in the side of saidcasing and force it over the heating unit in said casing and into saidopening in said machine, and means positioned within said casingadjacent said other open end thereof and operatively connected to saidblower for driving the latter.

2. In an article drier adapted to be inserted in an opening in anarticle washing machine which opening is in communication with thearticles contained in said machine, an open ended casing, a housinghaving one end open positioned longitudinally within said casing withsaid one open end positioned adjacent to and spaced from one of the openends of said casing, a heating unit positioned within said housing, ablower positioned within said casing adjacent to and spaced from theother open end thereof and in communication with said housing, saidblower being adapted to draw incoming air through an opening in the sideof said casing and force it over the heating unit in said housing andinto said opening in said machine, and means positioned within saidcasing adjacent said other open end thereof and operatively connected tosaid blower for driving the latter.

3. In an article drier adapted to be inserted in an opening in anarticle washing machine which opening is in communication with thearticles contained in said machine, an open ended casing, a heating unitpositioned Within said casing adjacent to and spaced from one of theopen ends of said casing, a blower positioned within said casingadjacent to and spaced'from the other open end thereof, said blowerbeing adapted to draw incoming air from an opening in the side of saidcasing and force it over the heating unit in said casing and into saidopening in said machine, means positioned within said casing adjacentsaid other open end thereof and operatively connected to said blower fordriving the latter, and a shell embracingly surrounding the portion ofsaid casing adjacent to and contiguous with said one open end thereof,said shell and the adjacent portion of said casing being adapted to beinserted in said opening in said machine, said shell serving as anexhaust port to permit the egress of outgoing air after it hascirculated over the articles contained in said machine.

4. In an article drier adapted to be inserted in an opening in anarticle washing machine which opening is in communication with thearticles contained in said machine, an open ended casing, a heating unitpositioned within said casing adjacent to and spaced from one of theopen ends of said casing, a blower positioned within said casingadjacent to and spaced from the other open end thereof, said blowerbeing adapted to draw incoming air from an opening in the side of saidcasing and force it over the heating unit in said casing and into saidopening in said machine, means positioned within said casing adjacentsaid other open end thereof and operatively connected to said blower fordriving the latter, and a shell embracingly surrounding the portion ofsaid casing adjacent to and contiguous with said one open end thereof,said shell and the adjacent portion of said casing being adapted to beinserted in said opening in said machine, said shell serving as anexhaust port to permit the egress of outgoing air after it hascirculated over the articles contained in said machine, said shellcomprising a first band positioned over the portion of said casingadjacent to and contiguous with said one open end thereof, a second bandpositioned in surrounding spaced relation with respect to said firstband, a plurality of fins arranged in spaced relation with respect toeach other and extending between and secured to said first and secondbands, the outgoing air escaping through the spaces formed by said fins.

5. In an article drier adapted to be inserted in an opening in anarticle washing machine which opening is in communication with thearticles contained in said machine, an open ended casing, a heating unitpositioned within said casing adjacent to and spaced from one of theopen ends of said casing, a blower positioned within said casingadjacent to and spaced from the other open end thereof, said blowerbeing adapted to draw incoming air from an opening in the side of saidcasing and force it over the heating unit in said casing and into saidopening in said machine, means positioned within said casing adjacentsaid other open end thereof and operatively connected to said blower fordriving the latter, a shell embracingly surrounding the portion of saidcasing adjacent to and ccntinguous with said one open end thereof, saidshell and the adjacent portion of said casing being adapted to beinserted in said opening in said machine, said shell serving as anexhaust port to permit the egress of outgoing air after it hascirculated over the articles contained in said machine, said shellcomprising a first band positioned over the portion of said-casingadjacent to and contiguous with said one open end thereof, a second bandpositioned in surrounding spaced relation with respect to said firstband, a plurality of fins arranged in spaced relation with respect toeach other and extending between and secured to said first and secondbands, the outgoing air escaping through the spaces formed by said fins,and a first flange extending about the end of said second band remotefrom said one open end of said casing.

6. In an article drier adapted to be inserted in an opening in anarticle washing machine which opening is in communication with thearticles contained in said machine, an open ended casing, a heating unitpositioned within said casing adjacent to and spaced from one of theopen ends of said casing, a blower positioned within said casingadjacent to and spaced from the other open end thereof, said blowerbeing adapted to draw incoming air from an opening in the side of saidcasing and force it over the heating unit in said casing and into saidopening in said machine, means ositioned within said casing adjacentsaid other open end thereof and operatively connected to said blower fordriving the latter, a shell embracingly surrounding the portion of saidcasing adjacent to and contiguous with said one open end thereof, saidshell and the adjacent portion of said casing being adapted to beinserted in said opening in said machine, said shell serving as anexhaust port to permit the egress of outgoing air after it hascirculated over the articles contained in said machine, said shellcomprising a first band positioned over the portion of said casingadjacent to and contiguous with said one open end thereof, a second bandpositioned in surrounding spaced relation with respect to said firstband, a plurality of fins arranged in spaced relation with respect toeach other and extending between and secured to said first and secondbands, the outgoing air escaping through the spaces formed by said fins,a first nange extending about the end of said second band remote fromsaid one open end of said casing, and a second flange extending aboutthe end of said first band contiguous with said one open end of saidcasing.

7. In a shell adapted to be circumposed about an article drier andinsertable into an opening in a washing machine and serving as anexhaust port for the air coming from said drier and circulated over thearticles contained in said machine, a first band positioned over theportion of said drier adjacent to and contiguous with one end thereof, asecond band positioned in surrounding spaced relation with respect tosaid first band, and a plurality of fins arranged in spaced relationwith respect to each other and extending between and secured to saidfirst and second bands, the outgoing air escaping through the spacesformed by said fins.

8. In a shell adapted to be circumposed about an article drier andinsertable into an opening in a washing machine and serving as anexhaust port for the air coming from said drier and circulated over thearticles contained in said ma chine, a first band positioned over theportion of said drier adjacent to and contiguous with one end thereof, asecond band positioned in surrounding spaced relation with respect tosaid first band, plurality of fins arranged in spaced relation withrespect to each other and extending between and secured to said firstand second bands, the outgoing air escaping through the spaces formed bysaid fins, and a first flange extending about the end of said secondband remote from said one end of said drier.

9. In a shell adapted to be circumposed about an article drier andinsertable into an opening in a washing machine and serving as anexhaust port for the air coming from said drier and circulated over thearticles contained in said machine, a first band positioned over theportion of said drier adjacent to and contiguous with one HARRY G.DI'I'LOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,751,841 Pickens Mar. 25, 19301,806,674 Donohue May 26, 1931 2,158,602 Calhoun May 16, 1939

